Effect of magnesium, calcium and EDTA on slime production by 15 slime-positive and 13 slime-negative Staphylococcus epidermidis strains isolated from various clinical specimens was determined. The slime production on tryptic soy broth was significantly enhanced after addition of 128 mumol/L Mg2+. Similarly, the addition of Ca2+ caused a significant increase in slime production of all tested strains when concentration of Ca2+ exceeded 64 mumol/L. In contrast, in the presence of EDTA the slime production by all strains was significantly reduced. Hence Ca2+ and Mg2+ increase slime production of S. epidermidis. This finding is important in the context of the pathogenesis of biomedical implant infections caused by S. epidermidis.

Department of Microbiology Faculty of Medicine University of Dicle Diyarbakir Turkey

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